Got Acne? Put Oil On It

The best treatment I've ever found for cystic acne (besides, you know, isotretinoin) is actually oil. Which I know sounds counterintuitive, because oil = acne, right? Not so, my friends. In fact, you can have extremely oily, completely clear skin. And plenty of people with very dry skin break out all the time. A pimple might have a ton of oil in it, but that's just because it's clogged, not because the oil actually created the problem. Acne is actually caused by bacteria (which are, in turn, often multiplying as a result of skin changes caused by the release of hormones), which is why antibiotics can often clear it up.

I highly encourage anyone whose skin is bothering them to visit a dermatologist, but if you don't want to/can't go the prescription route, here are a couple natural alternatives that work:

This hydrating, gentle anti-inflammatory/antimicrobial plant extract can be a huge help if you have cystic acne and/or dry, sensitized skin. Neem isn't exactly news to the rest of the world—in India, it's a drugstore staple right beside witch hazel and aspirin—but it's only recently become readily available in the US.

As far as I can tell, neem's only problem is its scent. The undiluted oil smells like a burned-diesel-fuel-and-peanut-butter smoothie. But here's the thing: there's no reason to stick with undiluted neem; it's effective even at low percentages. I love Evan Healy Neem Immortelle Purifying Infusion, which is herbal but not aggressive, and I've also experimented with adding a drop of pure neem to my moisturizer. And perhaps most serendipitously of all, another acne-fighter you've probably already heard of completely cuts the scent of neem. Which brings us to...

Perhaps the most popular acne-killing oil, tea tree is very effective and also, very, very aggressive (it's toxic if taken internally, so don't drink it). Some people can use it undiluted and have great results; I'm not one of them, hence mixing it with neem oil. It's amazing stuff, though—highly antiseptic, quick-absorbing, and just as effective as benzoyl peroxide (the literature suggests that it works more slowly than benzoyl, but is also less irritating for skin). People will tell you that tea tree oil cures all manner of stuff, but if we're being pragmatic it's only proven to kill bacteria and fungi without drying skin as much as the usual OTC medications—which is still pretty impressive.

I'm a vegetarian, so this isn't something on my to-try list, but I felt as though I should mention it because A) this is a site for everyone, and I respect that most other people don't feel the same way about animal products I do. And B) like Viviscal—another product I won't be trying because it's animal-based—emu oil really does appear to work. I've heard other people raving about the difference it makes for cystic acne, and studies suggest that it acts as an anti-inflammatory and promotes wound healing, which might be why it's so helpful for red, compromised skin.

—Lacey Gattis

Photo by Lacey Gattis.

Let’s Talk About It!JOIN IN

Annelie

Sweet! I will try tea tree oil next time. Even have a bottle somewhere after having treated...other things... with it

Sofia Caden

I had problem skin as a teen, and my sister suffered with acne, we found that most of the drying and oil fighting products on the market only made things worse as your skin fought to hydrate itself thereby making more and more oil. Soothing problem skin with oil works well, and coconut is wonderful. Other facets are a very healthy diet and plenty of water, as well as avoiding any hormone imbalance-ing medication such as the contraceptive pill. Everything gets worse before it gets better, so you should ride out the first break out and push through until the skin starts healing itself http://bit.ly/RQG7eP

Nikki

Jojoba Oil has also been a miraculous method in ridding my skin of cystic breakouts-and with a touch of Neroli, it has lightened some of the scarring as well.

Misia Galka

I've been using diluted tea tree oil (20% strength in jojoba or avocado oil) for the past month and have steered clear of my prescription BZ cream and I'm loving my skin. If a new blemish does appear I can have it gone in about two days without ever coming through the skin. I do have some red marks though but am about to start trying tamanu oil which is apparently incredible for pigmentation. I would advise anyone who has yet to try TTO on their skin to dilute it in a carrier oil, I burnt my skin once badly without diluting first - will never do that again! Thanks for these great posts Lacey!

Roberta Barros

rosehip oil is also very good for pigmentation, and is anti-aging as well.

Ragan

What kind of avocado oil do you use?

Rachel LC

I second the tamanu oil, with the caveat that I also recommend using it with a carrier oil (I typically use jojoba or rosehip), as it can be fairly drying. That said, I'm seeing great results with pigmentation and quicker healing when I do get minor breakouts.

Morgan Ryan

What about coconut oil?

lcrumbs

It isn't the best option for acne-prone skin. There are really mixed results - it works well for some people and causes others to break out really horribly. Personally I use it as a moisturizer on the dry spots around my nose but I wouldn't recommend using as a spot treatment. I know coconut oil is quite popular online right now but it isn't good for everybody.

Tori

One note about neem oil-avoid if pregnant! Traditionally it's used to aid in preventing pregnancy, there's some debate but I don't think it's worth risking. Also, lavender oil I've found to be very effective for hormonal breakouts since tea tree is too harsh for my skin. Overall I use grapeseed oil am/pm---best my skin has ever looked.

magicmollys

I think I just found a natural supplement to my birth control regimen!

Vivian Darkbloom

Lacey, what combination/ratio of neem and tea tree oil are you using? Thanks!

charmystique

Pure lavender essential oil works fab as well!

Serena

Emu oil is great for piercings! That and Dr. Bronner's *baby* soap saved two piercings that I thought were goners. I got the emu oil recommendation from a safe piercing organization's "bible"; so it was not a shady recommendation.

i hate emus after being bitten by one as a kid, but the thought of putting animal fat on my face is gross. might stick with pure zinc to dry out pimples.

Molly Beaupre

I have had problems with acne creams in general so I will be trying the tea tree oil and possibly the mixture. I too am curious as to what your tea tree to neem oil ratio is.

BeautyApocalypse

I've had really good luck with seabuckthorn berry oil. Isn't it amazing how well oil can work on acne? Who'd a thunk it?

tish

do you use the oil as a spot treatment? or all over the face like a toner?

Coops

I'm interested in the Evan Healy Neem Immortelle Purifying Infusion oil - do you add that all over your face after toner? Like you would say, rosehip oil?

guest

Your posts on Into The Gloss lately have been the only ones I keep coming back to for further reading/screen capping/recommendations by other readers. Thanks Lacey!

Sage Julia

I love when you post about acne products! I've been suffering from the worst cystic acne--mostly cheeks and chin, for two years. I've been on THREE antiobiotics and was about to do accutane but then I started doing my own research. I do think, when it's adults (I'm 24), acne can't just be solved topically. I cut out dairy, processed foods, etc, and started taking fish oils and zinc and stuff like that. As for products, I've been using Alaffia's neem cleanser and moisturizer. Bought both from Whole Foods and I've had great results. I've only had about three tiny pimples since starting this regimen, and they went away in less than two days. Everyone's skin is different, but I just wanted to throw that out there, because I wish I had known about Alaffia sooner. The neem cleanser has shea and black soap which are both amazing for acne, and the moisturizer has the same ingredients, as well as a little bit of tea tree oil. Super hydrating but VERY anti-bacterial. They've worked really well for me but now I might try the pure neem as a spot treatment. How many people use pure neem to spot treat? I've read about people breaking out from the undiluted stuff...

http://www.clevergirlreviews.com/ Clever Girl Reviews

I find Neem oil when it's at is best has a toasted cumin smell. The other smells are there but to a much lesser extent. Sounds like a Neem, Tea Tree, Honey, Yogurt, and Turmeric mask is in order!

Elle m

few drops tea tree oil in your DIY yoghurt face mask= very nice.

Lori

Gotta put in a good word here for castor oil. I've had cystic, Accutane-level acne my whole life and castor oil has been really helpful with my I thought this was over oh wait I'm in my thirties and still getting pimples acne.

Meagan

Never having acne, when I moved to New York from Texas, and also hit the age 25, my skin freaked, and I have been battling with chin acne for the last three years. It sucks, and most topical treatments weren't working for me, so I picked up a bottle of Tea Tree Oil and have had the best results I've seen in years. I am washing my face, then exfoliating, leaving skin damp, I then apply tea tree oil directly onto chin only, and massage in. I am still working on the "right amount", but am getting results that are much better than washing alone! Thankful for this post, I will try other mixtures to nix it as much as possible, but I vouch for Tea Tree with promising results! Thanks as always ITG, the blog is a blessing

Pee

Agreed! I had horrible pea-sized lumps under my skin; hulked-out cystic acne. It hurt to put my face on a pillow to sleep and I was miserable. My doctor prescribed me the contraceptive pill Dianette, which I've been on for four months, and I've noticed a massive improvement in my acne, and thankfully, haven't reacted badly to the pill (any I've tried in the past have reduced me to an emotionally imbalanced, temperamental wreck!) I haven't had any new spots and I'm using coconut oil (my favourite thing in the whole world ever) to fade the residual purple marks/acne scars!

Cristina

Oily skin is what I have and it is hard for me to find an effective product to use. I am also using a Vitamin C Serum and has done wonders with my skin. Thank you for this information!

I've dabbled with my diet - gluten free and dairy free, strict vegan and still nothing helped my skin situation. I finally decided to go back to a 'normal' healthy diet eradicating unnecessary sugars found in my dairy and gluten free products (AHEM soy!). In conjunction with this diet turn-around I've started used Proactiv Sensitive, which totally contradicts my organic ethical views - but if it seems to be solving my acne woes I'm willing to give it a chance.

My question is has anyone else had a similar experience?

http://wwww.pangcakes.com Yin Pang

I know you wrote that two months ago but I'm in a very similar situation but without going to Proactive. I went to prevention pills, specifically for hormone control. Turns out my hormones have been pretty out of control so I've seen a difference while keeping my organic skincare. I also really don't consume a lot of diary but drink ricemilk instead.

http://vainpursuits.com Ruby

Seconded! We should really understand what we need, who we are as people, and really look for what works for each of us.

Ruby

Lana

How would I apply the neem oil?

Lana

how do you find its use most effective?
-L

Brooklyn Groove

Normalizing Day Oli by Dr Hauschka my favorite oil, great for anyone who has combination- oily/dry skin.

Alex

Not sure if this is available in the US (sorry!) but there's this boutique based out of New Delhi that makes an oil called kukumgadi oil. I previously tried everything for acne including tea tree oil and neem oil and nothing really worked, I then went to an ayurvedic doctor who suggested I try it. It's kinda pricy I'm not going to lie but I"ve had great results and a little goes a long way. In the past three months I've been in New York, New Delhi, and Saigon all of which have quite different climates and its worked in all three.

Sara

I stand by tea tree oil. I've had chronic acne for years. I'm now nearly done with accutane but the month before I went on accutane, I was reconsidering even taking the medication because tea tree oil was really helping my skin. Biggest tip, and this may go without saying, is to TAP on the oil and never rub it in. I did the blend/rub in thing for a few months when I first got the oil and it didn't work as well but when you tap it, your skin clears up so fast.

Peter Gayle

A good and helpful acne treatment for me. Really I am happy to see it here.